Dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper having a valve therein which is shiftable between open and closed positions to permit controlled volummetric dispensing of a flowable material into a container. The volummetric control vlave may be adjusted during operation of the apparatus by external adjustment means. A sensing control mechanism is operable to engage containers, such as unsymmetrical ham cans, conveyed by a conveyor to the dispensing apparatus to operate the valve when the container is in position to receive material from the hopper.

[ Mar.4, 1975 United States Patent 1191 Leining 54] DISPENSING APPARATUS2 730,271 l/1956 222/365 x 3,220,445 11/1965 Tarse 141/159 1 inventor:Lyndon 3,415,294 12/1968 141/156 x [73] Assignee: Geo. A. Hormel & C0.,Austin,

Primary Examiner-J-louston S. Bell Minn.

Assistant Examiner-Charles Gorenstein Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Williamson, Bains & Moore Appl. No.: 275,323

[57] ABSTRACT A dispensing apparatus comprises a hopper having a valvetherein which is shiftable between open and closed positions to permitcontrolled volummetric dispensing of a flowable material into acontainer. The volummetric control vlave may be adjusted duringoperation of the apparatus by external adjustment means. A sensingcontrol mechanism is operable to engage containers, such asunsymmetrical ham cans, conveyed by a conveyor to the dispensingapparatus to operate the valve when the container is in position toreceive material from the hopper.

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DISPENSING APPARATUS BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In many types ofdispensing operations, material is dispensed into containers which aremoved by conveyors into a position to receive the material beingdispensed. In some dispensing systems, the position of the movingcontainer may be sensed by a mechanical switch arm which operates thedispensing valve and permits the material to be dispensed into themoving container. However, these conventional type operating and sensingmechanisms for dispensers are ineffective for use with unsymmetricalcontainers such as ham cans. In these conventional dispensing systems,the dispensing valve may be adjusted to variously adjust the volume ofmaterial to be dispensed. However, in order to adjust the volummetricdispensing valve, the operation of the dispensing apparatus must beinterrupted.

It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a noveldispensing apparatus which includes an adjustable volummetric dispensingvalve for accurately dispensing a flowable material into a container.More specifically, the dispensing apparatus includes a spooltypedispensing valve which has a expandable and contractable annular portionwhich can be adjusted during operation of the apparatus to adjust thevolume of material to be dispensed.

The dispensing apparatus also includes movable sensors which engageopposite sides of a container to operate the dispensing valve inresponse to movement of the sensors by the container when the latter ismoved into a material receiving position by conveyor. This arrangementassures dispensing of the material into the container even though thecontainer is of unsymmetrical configuration, such as a ham can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thenovel dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagramatic view of the dispensing hopper illustrating thedispensing valve in an upper or closed position.

FIG. 3 is a diagramatic view of the dispensing operation similar to FIG.2 but illustrating the dispensing valve in the lower or dispensingposition.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a modified form ofthe valve.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the modified valvein an adjusted position.

FIG. 6 is a diagramatic view illustrating the sensing mechanism and thevalve operating pneumatic circuit with the dispensing valve illustratedin the down or dispense and rest cycle.

FIG. 7 is a diagramatic view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrating thedispensing valve in the raised or predispensing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings andmore specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one embodiment of thenovel dispensing apparatus, designated generally by the referencenumeral 10, as thereshown. This dispensing apparatus includes a supportframe 11 comprised of a vertical support member 12 to which is secured ahorizontal support member 13. The horizontal support member 13 has ahopper or receptacle 14 secured kll thereto and this hopper ispositioned above an endless conveyor 15. The endless conveyor 15 isoperated to move containers, such as the ham can, C toward the hopper 14and below the discharge opening therein.

The hopper 14 is vertically oriented and has an opening 16 in the upperwall thereof. An annular plate 17 is mounted in the opening and thisplate has a pair of apertures 18 therein that communicate with thehopper chamber as best seen in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3,it will be noted that the interior or chamber of the hopper is definedby vertically extending, preferably cylindrical, upper wall portions 19and downwardly and inwardly sloping tapered wall portions 20 whichterminate in a vertical cylindrical discharge throat 21. The cylindricalthroat 21 has an annular upper end edge 22 and an annular lower end edge23, the lower end of the throat opening exteriorly and constituting thedischarge opening for the hopper.

The hopper 14 has a vertically shiftable volummetric spool valve 24positioned therein which is shiftable between an upper or closedposition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and a lower or a dispensingposition, as illustrated in FIG. 3. This spool valve 24 includes anupper cylindrical portion 25 and a lower cylindrical portion 26. Anintermediate downwardly extending tapered portion 27 extends downwardlyfrom the upper cylindrical portion 25 and 21 intermediate upwardlyextending tapered portion 28 extends upwardly from the lower cylindricalportion 26 and defines with the tapered portion 27 and annular waist 29.An upper tapered portion 30 extends upwardly from the upper cylindricalportion 25 and terminates in an upper cylindrical end 31. The lower endof a piston rod 32 is connected to the upper cylindrical end 31 and thepiston rod is connected to the piston 32a of a double acting pneumaticcylinder 33. The double acting pneumatic cylinder 33 is mounted on theplate 17 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It will be noted that when the piston rod 32 is retracted, the spoolvalve 24 will be moved to the upper or closed position, and when thepiston rod is extended, the spool valve will be moved to the lower ordispensing position. In this regard, it will be noted that thecylindrical portion 25 of the valve is positioned above the upper edge22 of the cylindrical throat 21 and that the lower cylindrical portion26 is positioned below the lower edge 23 of the throat. It will also benoted that when the spool valve is in the upper or closed position, thelower edge 23 of the throat 21 is engaged by the cylindrical portion 26to close the lower end of the throat. When this occurs, the uppercylindrical portion 25 is spaced above the upper edge 22 of the throatwhereby a predetermined amount of material will flow by action ofgravity into the space between the inner surface of the throat and theexterior surface of the spool valve. Thereafter, when the spool valve 24is moved downwardly, the cylindrical portion 25 engages and closes theupper end of the throat 21 while the lower cylindrical portion 26 ismoved out of engagement with the lower edge of the throat. This allows apredetermined amount of flowable material to be dispensed from thehopper. It will therefore be seen that the valve 24 permits apredetermined amount of flowable material to be dispensed from thehopper.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein a modified form of thevolummetric spool valve, designated generally by the reference numeral240, is thereshown. The valve is similar in construction and operationto the valve 24 and includes an upper cylindrical portion 25a and alower cylindrical portion 26a interconnected by intermediate taperingportions 270 and 280. An upper tapering portion 30a extends from theupper cylindrical portion 25a and terminates in an upper cylindrical end31a which is connected to the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder forshifting the valve 240 between upper and lower positions.

The tapered portion 27a has a downwardly facing annular slot 27b thereinand the tapered portion 28a has an upwardly facing annular slot 28btherein. A substantially cylindrical or annular sleeve 34 has oppositeend portions thereof positioned in the slots and surrounds the midportion of the valve 24a. This sleeve 34 is made of a yieldableresilient material, such as rubber or the like, and encloses an annularchamber 35 located between the tapered portions 27a and 28a. The annularchamber 35 communicates with a vertical passage 36 which is connected incommunicating relation to one end of a elongate conduit 37.

The conduit 37 is connected in communicating relation to one end of ahydraulic fluid displacer unit 38 which has a cylindrical chamber 39therein. An externally threaded elongate displacer piston 40 threadedlyengages an internally threaded end portion of the chamber 39, and thisdisplacer piston has an actuator head 41 located exteriorly of thedisplacer chamber. The hydraulic circuit including the annular chamber35, the passage 36, the conduit 37 and the chamber 39 has apredetermined amount of hydraulic liquid therein to thereby permit theannular member 34 to be expanded and contracted by adjusting thedisplacer piston 40 axially of the chamber 39.

In FIG. 4, the annular member 34 is illustrated in a relativelycollapsed or non-distended condition, and in FIG. 5, the annular memberis illustrated in a distended or expanded condition. Since the spacelocated between the exterior of the spool valve 24 and the interior ofthe throat determines the volume of the material to be dispensed, itwill be seen that by expanding or contracting the annular member 34, thevolume may be variously adjusted. It is also pointed out that thisadjustment may be made when the dispensing apparatus is in operation andthereby obviates the need to interrupt operation of the apparatus toadjust the volume of material to be dispensed.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, it will be seen that means areprovided for operating the spool valve when a container, such as the hamcan C, is properly positioned below the throat 21 of the hopper. Thismeans includes a vertical frame member 42 which is rigidly affixed toand projects upwardly from the horizontal support member 13. An elongatehorizontally oriented transverse frame member 43 is rigidly connected tothe upper end of the vertical frame member 42 and projects outwardlytherefrom. One end of an elongated support rod 44 is rigidly affixed tothe vertical frame member 42 and has its outer arcuately. end bent andconnected to the outer end of the transverse frame member 43, as bestseen in FIG. 1. This transverse support rod 44 actually constitutes apivot support for a sensor mechanism 45.

The sensor mechanism 45 includes a U-shaped mounting member 46 which ismounted on the support rod 44 for swinging movement relative thereto. Anelongate annular sensing arm 47 is rigidly connected to the U-shapedmounting member 46 and project outwardly and downwardly therefrom. Agenerally horizontally oriented disc-shaped sensing element 48 isrevolably mounted on the lower end of the sensing arm The sensormechanism 45 also includes a rectangular mounting member 49 which has anaperture therethrough and which is pivotally mounted on the rod 44 andbetween legs of the U-shaped support member 46. An elongate annularsensing arm 50 is rigidly connected to the mounting member 49 andprojects outwardly and downwardly thereform. A horizontally orienteddisc-shaped sensing element 51 is revolvably mounted on the lower end ofthe sensing arm 50. With this arrangement, the sensing arms 47 and 50are mounted on the support rod 44 for vertical swinging movement about asubstantial horizontal axis.

A valve 52 is mounted on the mounting member 49 by means of anattachment bracket 52a. The valve 52 has a discharge opening 53 thereinand is connected by a conduit 54 to a control valve 55. The controlvalve 55 is secured to a frame member 43a which is fixedly connected toframe member 43. The control valve 55 is connected in communicatingrelation with the cylinder 33 by means of a conduit 56 and a conduit 57.One end of a conduit 58 is connected to the control valve 55 and theother end thereof is connected to the main supply line or conduit 62.The main supply line or conduit 62, which is connected to a source ofair under pressure, is also connected in communicating relation to thevalve 52. A closure element 60 is mounted on the mounting member 46 viamember 64 and serves to close the discharge opening 53 for the valve 52when the sensing arms are allowed to hang freely by action of gravity. Aspring 61 is positioned interiorly of the control valve 55 and serves tourge the valve element when the latter is shifted by fluid pressurewithin the control valve.

During operation of the dispensing apparatus, containers, such as hamcans C, will be supported by the conveyor 15 and will be movedsucessively below the hopper 14. These ham cans C are of generallytriangular configuration and will not necessarily be uniformly orientedupon the conveyor. Thus the conventional switch arm type operatingdevice is ineffective in positively assuring the container will bepositioned below the hopper before the spool valve is actuated todispense material from the hopper. However, the sensor mechanism 45 iseffective in operating the valve only when the container is properlypositioned below the discharge opening of the hopper. In this regard,the container C will pass between the sensing elements 48 and 51 so thatthe sensing elements engage opposite surfaces of the container. As thecontainer is moved progressively between the sensing elements, thediverging sides of the container will cause the sensing elements tospread apart and move the valve closure element 60 out of closingrelation with respect to the discharge outlet 53 of the valve 52. 4

In this respect, the sensing arms are normally urged towards each otherby action of gravity so that the closure element 60 closes the outlet 53of the valve 52 and the sensing arms remain in this condition untilmoved away from each other by a container passing between the sensingelements 48 and 51. When the valve 52 is in a closed condition air underpressure is supplied through the conduit 54 to the control valve 55which results in the valve element 550 being held in the shiftedposition, conduit 58 communicating with the conduit 57.

However, when a container C is moved between the sensing elements, thesensing arms will be moved apart thereby opening valve 52 and permittingair to discharge from the control valve 55 through the conduit 54. Whenthis occurs, the reduced air pressure in the control valve will permitspring 61 to extend thereby shifting the valve element 55a tointercommunicate conduit 58 with conduit 56. Conduit 57 isintercommunicated with the bleed port 59 and the valve 24 is thenshifted downwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

A downwardly shifting movement of spool 24 occurs when the container Cpasses beyond the sensing arms, the arms will then swing toward eachother by action of gravity thereby charging the valve 55 with airthrough conduit 54, and causing the valve elements 5511 to shift andcompress the spring 61. As the valve element 55a is moved, conduit 58 isagain intercommunicated with the conduit 57 thereby shifting the pistonupwardly, while conduit 57 is intercommunicated with the bleed port 59to permit exhausting of the air through the bleed port. This results inthe spool valve being moved downwardly to the closed position.

It will therefore be seen that the dispensing valve is shifted only inresponse to correct positioning of the container with respect to hopperdischarge outlet. In this type of operation, a flowable material such asdry particulate gelatin is dispensed from the hopper. The taperedsurface of the spool valve prevent any accumulation of the particulatematerial on the valve itself. It will further be noted that theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 permits adjustment of the spoolvalve so that the volume of the material to be dispensed may bevariously adjusted. This adjustment can be made without interruption ofthe operation of the apparatus.

From the foregoing discription, it will be seen that l have provided anovel dispensing apparatus which is operable for volummetric dispensingflowable material, such as particulate materials, liquids and the like,in a controlled manner into a container. The dispensing device isespecially adapted for use in dispensing dry particulate gelatin intounsymmetrical containers, such as ham cans, since the sensor mechanismassures proper positioning of the container before material may bedispensed from the hopper. It will further be seen that my noveldispensing apparatus includes a novel volummetric dispensing valve whichis readily adjustable during operation of the apparatus withoutrequiring interruption of the operation.

Thus it will be seen that l have provided a novel dispensing apparatuswhich is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one thatfunctions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore knowncomparable system.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing device for dispensing flowable material intosuccessively moving containers comprising:

a hopper adapted to contain a flowable material and having a dischargethroat,

a shiftable volumetric valve in said hopper and being operable todispense a predetermined volume of flowable material from said hopper,

a fluid pressure piston and cylinder unit connected with said volumetricvalve and being operable for shifting the same,

means for conveying containers in a predetermined path of travel belowthe throat of the hopper,

a control mechanism including a controlling valve connected in flowcontrolling relation with said piston and cylinder unit and operatingthe same,

a pair oflaterally spaced apart, elongate vertically extending sensorarms, each mounted adjacent said hopper for vertical swinging movementabout a substantially horizontal axis,

operating means supported jointly by said sensor arms and operativelyinterrelated with said control valve, said sensor arms being shiftablein response to engagement with a moving container to actuate saidoperating means and to thereby operate said control valve for shiftingthe piston and cylinder unit and volumetric valve from a closed positionto a dispensing position and to thereby permit a predetermined volume ofmaterial to be discharged through said throat into a container as eachcontainer is moved along the predetermined path of travel.

2. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said operatingmeans comprises an operating valve mounted on one of said sensor armsand being operable in response to relative shifting movement betweensaid arms.

3. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor armsare pivotal about an axis extending in the direction of the path oftravel of the containers.

4. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of saidsensor arms has a disc-shaped sensor element mounted on the lower endthereof, said elements adapted to engage opposite sides of thereceptacle as the latter is moved by the conveyor towards the hopper tocause swinging movement of said arms and operation of saidoperatingmeans.

5. A dispensing device as defined in claim 1 and wherein said dischargethroat in said hopper, cylindrical in shape and extends vertical andopens exteriorly at its lower end,

said volummetric dispensing valve extending through said throat andbeing vertically shiftable between upper and lower positions, said valveincluding spaced apart upper and lower portions each having across-sectional size slightly larger than the diameter of said throat,said valve tapering downwardly from said upper portion to a reducedwaist and tapering upwardly from said lower portion to said waist, saidupper portion being spaced above the upper end of said throat and saidlower portion engaging and closing the lower unit of the throat when thevalve is in the upper position thereby permitting a predetermined amountof flowable material to flow into said throat and around the taperedportions of the valve, said upper portion engaging and closing the upperend of said throat and said lower portion being spaced from said lowerend of the throat when the valve is in the lower position therebypermitting the predetermined amount of material to be dispensed from thehopper.

6. The device as defined in claim 5 wherein said waist portion of thevolumetric dispensing valve is adjustable to permit adjustment of thepredetermined amount of material dispensed from the hopper.

7. A dispensing device for dispensing flowable material therefromcomprising a hopper adapted to contain a flowable material and having avertical, cylindrical, reduced discharge throat opening exteriorly atits lower end, a volummetric dispensing valve extending through saidthroat and being vertically shiftable between upper and lower positions,said valve including spaced apart upper and lower portions and a reducedannular flexible intermediate portion, said upper and lower portionseach having a cross sectional size slightly larger than the diameter ofsaid throat, and said intermediate portion being spaced inwardly fromthe interior surface of said throat,

means for vertically shifting said valve between upper and lowerpositions, said upper portion being spaced above the upper end of saidthroat and said lower portion engaging and closing the lower end of saidthroat when the valve is in the upper position to thereby permit apredetermined volume of material to be introduced into said throat, saidupper portion engaging and closing the upper end of said throat and saidlower portion being spaced below the open lower end of said throat whensaid valve is in the lower position to thereby permit dispensing'of thepredetermined volume of material from the hopper,

means defining a fluid pressure chamber interiorly of said flexibleintermediate portion of the valve and being connected to a source offluid pressure to permit expansion and contraction of said intermediateportion and adjustment of the predetermined volume of material in thethroat, and

actuator means located exteriorly of said receptacle and being operableto variously adjust the fluid pressure in said chamber whereby theflexible intermediate portion of the valve may be adjusted duringshifting movement of the valve.

8. The dispensing device as defined in claim 7 wherein said upper andlower valve portions are of cylindrical configuration, and a pair ofintermediate tapered portions each tapering from one of said cylindricalportions toward said interemediate flexible portion.

9. The dispensing device as defined in claim 7 wherein said means forshifting said valve comprises a fluid pressure cylinder and piston unit.

10. The dispensing device as defined in claim 7 wherein said flexibleintermediate portion comprises a substantially cylindrical flexiblesleeve, said actuator means comprising a cylinder, a piston movable insaid cylinder, and a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid in saidcylinder and fluid pressure chamber whereby movement of the pistonpermits expansion and contraction of said sleeve.

1. A dispensing device for dispensing flowable material intosuccessively moving containers comprising: a hopper adapted to contain aflowable material and having a discharge throat, a shiftable volumetricvalve in said hopper and being operable to dispense a predeterminedvolume of flowable material from said hopper, a fluid pressure pistonand cylinder unit connected with said volumetric valve and beingoperable for shifting the same, means for conveying containers in apredetermined path of travel below the throat of the hopper, a controlmechanism including a controlling valve connected in flow controllingrelation with said piston and cylinder unit and operating the same, apair of laterally spaced apart, elongate vertically extending sensorarms, each mounted adjacent said hopper for vertical swinging movementabout a substantially horizontal axis, operating means supported jointlyby said sensor arms and operatively interrelated with said controlvalve, said sensor arms being shiftable in response to engagement with amoving container to actuate said operating means and to thereby operatesaid control valve for shifting the piston and cylinder unit andvolumetric valve from a closed position to a dispensing position and tothereby permit a predetermined volume of material to be dischargedthrough said throat into a container as each container is moved alongthe predetermined path of travel.
 2. The dispensing device as defined inclaim 1 wherein said operating means comprises an operating valvemounted on one of said sensor arms and being operable in response torelative shifting movement between said arms.
 3. The dispensing deviceas defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor arms are pivotal about anaxis extending in the direction of the path of travel of the containers.4. The dispensing device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of saidsensor arms has a disc-shaped sensor element mounted on the lower endthereof, said elements adapted to engage opposite sides of thereceptacle as the latter is moved by the conveyor towards the hopper tocause swinging movement of said arms and operation of said operatingmeans.
 5. A dispensing device as defined in claim 1 and wherein saiddischarge throat in said hopper, cylindrical in shape and extendsvertical and opens exteriorly at its lower end, said volummetricdispensing valve extending through said throat and being verticallyshiftable between upper and lower positions, said valve including spacedapart upper and lower portions each having a cross-sectional sizeslightly larger than the diameter of said throat, said valve taperingdownwardly from said upper portion to a reduced waist and taperingupwardly from said lower portion to said waist, said upper portion beingspaced above the upper end of said throat and said lower portionengaging and closing the lower unit of the throat when the valve is inthe upper position thereby permitting a predetermined amount of flowablematerial to flow into said throat and around the tapered portions of thevalve, said upper portion engaging and closing the upper end of saidthroat and said lower portion being spaced from said lower end of thethroat when the valve is in the lower position thereby permitting thepredetermined amount of material to be dispensed from the hopper.
 6. Thedevice as defined in claim 5 wherein said waist portion of thevolumetric dispensing valve is adjustable to permit adjustment of thepredetermined amount of material dispensed from the hopper.
 7. Adispensing device for dispensing flowable material therefrom comprisinga hopper adapted to contain a flowable material and having a vertical,cylindrical, reduced discharge throat opening exteriorly at its lowerend, a volummetric dispensing valve extending through said throat andbeing vertically shiftable between upper and lower positions, said valveincluding spaced apart upper and lower portions and a reduced annularflexible intermediate portion, said upper and lower portions each havinga cross sectional size slightly larger than the diameter of said throat,and said intermediate portion being spaced inwardly from the interiorsurface of said throat, means for vertically shifting said valve betweenupper and lower positions, said upper portion being spaced above theupper end of said throat and said lower portion engaging and closing thelower end of said throat when the valve is in the upper position tothereby permit a predetermined volume of material to be introduced intosaid throat, said upper portion engaging and closing the upper end ofsaid throat and said lower portion being spaced below the open lower endof said throat when said valve is in the lower position to therebypermit dispensing of the predetermined volume of material from thehopper, means defining a fluid pressure chamber interiorly of saidflexible intermediate portion of the valve and being connected to asource of fluid pressure to permit expansion and contraction of saidintermediate portion and adjustment of the predetermined volume ofmaterial in the throat, and actuator means located exteriorly of saidreceptacle and being operable to variously adjust the fluid pressure insaid chamber whereby the flexible intermediate portion of the valve maybe adjusted during shifting movement of the valve.
 8. The dispensingdevice as defined in claim 7 wherein said upper and lower valve portionsare of cylindrical configuration, and a pair of intermediate taperedportions each tapering from one of said cylindrical portions toward saidinteremediate flexible portion.
 9. The dispensing device as defined inclaim 7 wherein said means for shifting said valve comprises a fluidpressure cylinder and piston unit.
 10. The dispensing device as definedin claim 7 wherein said flexible intermediate portion comprises asubstantially cylindrical flexible sleeve, said actuator meanscomprising a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, and apredetermined amount of hydraulic fluid in said cylinder and fluidpressure chamber whereby movement of the piston permits expansion andcontraction of said sleeve.